What does the term 'contamination' refer to in radiation safety?

The term 'contamination' in radiation safety specifically refers to the presence of radioactive material on surfaces or within a person. When materials are contaminated, it means that radioactive particles are unintentionally deposited on objects, equipment, or individuals, which can pose health risks and safety concerns.

This definition is crucial because managing contamination involves decontamination processes to remove radioactive substances, thereby reducing exposure risk to personnel and the environment. Understanding contamination helps in implementing proper safety protocols, monitoring, and remediation efforts in environments where radioactive materials are present.

Other options involve aspects related to radiation but do not accurately define contamination. For instance, mishandling of radioactive material may lead to contamination but does not encompass the broader definition. Similarly, the accidental release of radiation refers to incidents like nuclear accidents, and overexposure pertains to the amount of radiation an individual has received, neither of which are the specific definition of contamination.